Freedom was bought

Shortly following Dec. 7, 1941, nearly everyone that could was on active duty. Then in 1942, word quickly spread in our small town of 400 that Tommy Wright’s boy McClelland (Clell) was reported missing in action. It’s OK, Mama, he’s only missing in action. That’s what the telegram said.

As a cadet, he had written a young lady friend and related to her about a presentation by General MacArthur, who said, “The only people worth living are those that are not afraid to die.” Clell said in his letter that he had given some thought to that and decided it sounded right. His words changed only a little: “If a guy doesn’t have anything to die for, he doesn’t have anything to live for.” Then early 1943, the other telegram said that while on a volunteer hazardous mission, his aircraft went missing with little chance of recovery. Then, in a few days, two nice-looking young officers in their pink and green uniforms showed up with some papers to sign. He was no longer MIA. A young man of 12 should not be seen crying, so I went out to the barn and hid behind some hay bales. Then someone sent us a Gold Star to put on the window.

The other brother was a B-17 pilot and the losses were very heavy. Hoping against hope not to get another Gold Star, we gathered each day around the Philco radio to listen to the losses, which were many. The other brother was in the Navy serving in Asia. Coincident with turning 18 and the start of the Korean conflict, I could not have not gone.

Gold Stars seem to be an ongoing event. As I sit in my recliner and see reports of another loss, I envision a couple of young officers walking up to some parents’ door. And while I don’t exactly lose it at age 88, I get up and go out and find some hay bales to hide behind. Later, when my day ends and it’s time for “lights out,” I have YouTube to take me to Arlington where I can hear “Taps” and be reminded how your freedom was bought and paid for. Don’t let it slip away now.

DONAL B. WRIGHT

Cabot